Rose Flagellation

A red rose is the very definition of romantic delirium even if its stem is an emblem for potential pain.

Flagellation or flogging is the act of methodically beating or whipping (Latin flagellum, “whip”) the human body. Specialised implements for it include rods,switches, the cat o’ nine tails and the sjambok. Typically, flogging is imposed on an unwilling subject as a punishment; however, it can also be submitted to willingly, or performed on oneself, in religious or sadomasochistic contexts.

Whips provoke a variety of sensations in the whippee depending on their weight or the material they’re made of. With bare-handed spanking, paddles and canes the force of a potential blow can be modified on a whim; from a subtle caress up to a hard blow. In contrast, there is an absolute minimum speed for striking with a whip and the impact of its blow is dependent upon its velocity and weight. Many dominants have a range of whips for different effects: soft leather and suede reddens the skin, heavy leather can abrade it, rubber and horsehair sting the flesh and ones made of chains are made to caress.

The inspiration for this set was a poem called “Farewell My Siren” (For Venus) written for me by Christopher Drake. It’s striking imagery is intensely visual and it depicts a redhead with porcelain white skin who gets whipped by roses. I couldn’t resist organising a photo-set to accompany it.